Sunjwan Army Camp Attack Update: 6 Army Jawans Martyred, 9 Injured, 4 Terrorists Gunned Down, Operation Underway
The terrorists hurled grenades and spraying automatic gunfire as they entered the family quarters when everyone was asleep on Saturday.
Jammu, February 11: The operation by Indian Army to flush out the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) militants from Sunjwan Army camp in Jammu and Kashmir entered the second day today. The Army successfully neutralised four terrorist in the ongoing operation while the others are still holed up. According to a recent update, four security personnel have been killed on Sunday taking the death toll to 6. On Sunday morning, two junior commissioned officers and one non-commissioned officer of the Army lost their lives in the Sunjwan terror attack.
“10 people have been injured, of which 6 are women & children including 1 pregnant lady. Army doctors worked through the night to save life of the pregnant lady & through a c-section she delivered a baby girl. Both mother and baby are stable”, Col. D Anand said. As per reports, the two soldiers who have been identified as junior commissioned officer (JCO) Madan Lal Chaudhary and NCO (non-commissioned officer) Ashraf Ali, both belonging to Jammu and Kashmir.
Booms of guns broke early morning slumbers of residents Sunjwan on Saturday. As per officials, a group of terrorists of Jaish-e-Mohammed struck on the army camp on Saturday. The terrorists hurled grenades and spraying automatic gunfire as they entered the family quarters when everyone was asleep on Saturday.
On Saturday, two Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs) lost their lives and six others including a Major-rank officer and daughter of an Army personnel injured in the attack. Subedar Madan Lal Choudhary and Subedar Mohd. Ashraf Mir were killed in the deadly attack. While Mir was killed on the spot, Choudhary succumbed to his injuries in the hospital. Col. Rohit Solanki, 6 Mahar (Officiating CO), Havildar Abdul Hamid, Lance Naik Bahdur Singh, and Neha, daughter of Choudhary were injured in the attack.
What exactly happened:
In the early hours on Saturday, a group of JeM terrorists sneaked into the army’s 36 brigade camp of light infantry in Sunjwan in the wee hours, killing two junior commissioned officers (JCOs). Two soldiers along with nine others, including women and children were injured when a group of heavily-armed JeM militants stormed a military camp on Saturday. The operation to neutralise the terrorists is however, underway. The exact number of militants is not known but as per initial calls received at PCR Jammu four to five militants were involved in the attack. The residents have moved out of their homes as a precautionary measure and are camping at safer places nearby.
As per sources, the firing began around 4.30 AM with deafening sounds of explosions and gunfire. Initially, the Army thought it was a routine practice firing but when there was an alarm from inside the camp.
SD Singh Jamwal, IGP Jammu said, “3 terrorists have been killed. Army has taken all precautions because every human life is precious and Army does not want a collateral damage. I'm sure we will be able to finish the operation soon”. Sources said the terrorists appeared to have entered the camp, in two groups, from a nullah behind the camp. Besides recovering arms and ammunition from the slain terrorists, JeM flags have also recovered from them.
Red alert in neighbouring towns
Following the attack, the district administration asked the schools within 500 meters of the camp to remain shut. A ‘red alert’ was sounded on Sunday at the Punjab-Jammu and Kashmir border in the wake of the terror attack at Sunjwan army camp. A special checking was raised at Madhopur entry point from Punjab to the Valley. High alert has been sounded across the state with the Central Reserve Police and state police sealing off roads around the area.
Sunjwan strike breaks 15-month lull in terror attacks
The Jammu region has witnessed several major terror strikes in the past. The attack on army camp in Sunjwan by Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists comes 15 months after a similar attack in Nagrota on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway. In the Nagrota attack, that took place on November 29, 2016, seven army personnel were killed. In the Nagrota strike, a suicide squad targeted the army base killing seven personnel including two officers. Three terrorists were also killed.
The security forces are still conducting search and combing operation in the area. Jammu and Kashmir Governor N N Vohra expressed concern over the militant attack at Sunjwan Army Camp and reiterated his advise about the need for an uncompromising audit of all security establishments. According to an official spokesperson, the governor spoke to Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Devraj Anbu and expressed grief over the death of two Army personnel, and wished speedy recovery to those injured in the attack.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 11, 2018 11:31 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).